Strathconaona CounCouCounty 2008 Annual Report recap ReportLiving to the Community July/August 2009 Message from your Mayor and County Council This issue presents a We trust, in this overview of initiatives, programs summary of the 2008 and events, our endeavour to maintain a high Annual Report and recaps quality of life is evident. our accomplishments over Over the past year, the pursuit to be “greener” the last year. certainly engaged our community. The Green Strathcona County In these challenging Routine rolled out; local transit service expanded; providing quality of life in challenging times times, given the turn we promoted and practised reduced pesticide use; in the global economy, and hosted the Canadian Urban Forest Conference– Mayor Cathy Olesen at Alberta, Canada Canada Day celebrations Strathcona County is just to name a few environmental-related initiatives. resolved to effectively Added efforts toward traffi c safety, celebrating continue to provide quality of life through community with the new High Five Awards and CP programs and services for residents. Holiday Train visit, adopting the comprehensive We need to demonstrate resilience, being practical Open Space and Recreation Facility Strategy, and and prudent to successfully weather the economic working to ensure affordable housing are other uncertainties and fl uctuations. examples of our progress. This Report to the 2008 Annual Report The richness of our community stands as a fi rm Community shares many more. backbone. The collective strength of character of On behalf of County Council, we look forward the businesses, volunteer organizations, families to the continued input and support of residents Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 and individuals here, continue to make Strathcona and community groups as we make decisions that County a desirable community in which to live, shape the attractiveness and long-term vitality of The full 2008 Annual Report, which includes Financial work and enjoy. Strathcona County. Statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, can be found at www.strathcona.ab.ca, or you can call Municipal services add to this strength. The — Cathy Olesen 780-464-8088 to obtain a copy. responsible and accountable delivery of services is Mayor an ongoing objective. resilience richness responsibilitypy Awards Centre in the Park honoured with Green Routine recognized by business, Recreation, Parks and Culture leads Outstanding Achievement Award professional fields, and government on many fronts Strathcona County’s Centre in the Park • Finalist for the Rs of Excellence Awards – Recycle • Choosewell Champion in the 50,000-plus Public-Private Partnership with Christenson Council of Alberta population category and high achiever in Developments received a Minister of Municipal • Newsmaker of the Year – Sherwood Park & creating health opportunities category Affairs’ Award of Excellence in October of 2008. District Chamber of Commerce • Russ Pawlyk, Manager of Strathcona County The Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes • MarCom Platinum Award – in the category of Recreation, Parks and Culture, received a Centre in the Park as a project that embodies the External Communications prestigious provincial award for his outstanding benefi ts of cooperation between public and private contributions to the fi eld of recreation. • Gold Quill Merit Award in the category of organizations in creating a sustainable, mixed-use Administered by the Alberta Parks and Multi-Audience Communications – International heart of the community that meets the expressed Recreation Association, the Wild Rose Award Association of Business Communicators needs of the community and stakeholders. This recognizes dedication, long-term service and project was Strathcona County’s fi rst experience in impact on recreation at the provincial level creating a public-private sector partnership for a • International Association of Business development project. The County challenged and Communicators, Capital Award – Edmonton adapted traditional process to both build a strong Chapter, for the most effective communication partnership with Christenson Developments and plan for marketing to the schools implement sustainability principles into planning • Lifesaving Society Affi liate Recognition Award and development. (Class 2) – in recognition for accumulating The Honourable Road Warriors still among the best for the highest point total in conducting lifesaving Ray Danyluk, Minister large-equipment skills programs serving a community of of Alberta Municipal Strathcona County Road Warriors placed Affairs, presents Mayor less than 100,000 Cathy Olesen (left) second at the annual Alberta Public Works and Greg Christenson Association Provincial Equipment Roadeo. This • Communities in Bloom Award of Christenson (International) – 5 Blooms special Developments (right) team of County Transportation and Agriculture with the Outstanding Services staff has participated in the event since mention for Heritage Mile Achievement Award. it was established in 1998; it placed fi rst in 1999, • Best Canada Day Fireworks – Vue 2003 and 2007. Weekly Key highlights resilience richness responsibility Older Adults Plan Plans, initiatives, major events Developed over the last year, the Strathcona County Older Adults Plan was approved on June 30, 2009 to Forward thinking. address issues facing County residents who are 55 and older. The plan outlines a series of strategies the County and Cooperation with others. community can undertake over the next 15 years. Responsive to emerging needs. The goals highlight: • improved coordination, information and communication about older adult services • social connection and new local learning and skill development opportunities Capital Region Board • affordable and accessible housing options The Capital Region • affordable, safe and accessible transportation Board was offi cially • universal design for new or renovated buildings established on April • crime prevention related to scams and home security 15, 2008, consisting of • volunteer work and post-retirement employment mayors and reeves from • fi nancial planning and subsidy programs the 25 municipalities • social, recreational and cultural activities in the Alberta Capital • health and wellness education and advocacy Region. • home maintenance and home health care support services The Capital Region • outreach programs for at-risk older adults and support to caregivers Board is an initiative • elder abuse prevention and support designed to create and maintain an effective working relationship between In 2007, Strathcona County had 7,135 residents aged 65 and older, the diverse communities that make up the Edmonton region. Its mandate is to comprising 13 per cent of the total population. By 2031, this fi gure is develop a Growth Plan intended to outline the region’s future growth, with a projected to increase to 25 per cent of the population. A unique characteristic focus on four key areas: land use, regional transit, housing and information of this trend is that the seniors’ population will consist of several distinctive management. The Capital Region Growth Plan was submitted to the Province generations. The baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) are a major on March 31, 2009. On June 11, 2009 a preliminary response was provided segment of this demographic and they have different views and needs to aging by the Minister of Municipal Affairs. The Province has asked for additional than do previous generations. As a result, this expanding group of older citizens work on the plan in a few areas to be completed by December 31, 2009. requires a different approach to planning for their needs. More information is available at www.capitalregionboard.ab.ca. The Older Adults Plan is available at www.strathcona.ab.ca. The County is actively involved on the board toward creating a plan that Provincial dollars support Affordable Housing Plan aims to benefi t both those who live and work in the County, as well as the A number of Affordable Housing Plan residents of the entire region. projects were initiated in 2008 with the Environmental Sustainability Framework more than $5 million in funding from the Following the development of the Social Sustainability Framework, the Government of Alberta: Environmental Sustainability Framework has been developed to help guide • Pioneer Housing’s expansion of the Silver future policy within Strathcona County operations, to ensure that decisions Birch Lodge to create 60 self-enclosed made take environmental impacts into consideration, both for today and apartment units generations to come. • Robin Hood Association’s construction of its The framework sets out 10 recommendations to be explored, which are Aspen Village project to accommodate 38 people in need of dependent or wide ranging, from creating an integrated transportation master plan to moderately dependent care addressing effi cient multi-modal travel; to developing a water conservation • Habitat for Humanity’s duplex plan related to County practices; to providing engagement, learning and • The Strathcona Schizophrenia Housing Foundation’s condominiums. training opportunities to increase staff and resident involvement in the Environmental Sustainability Framework. Provincial ambulance contract The framework establishes guiding Strathconatrathcona When the province announced it was going to take over statements that describe success relating ambulance service delivery from municipalities, Strathcona to fi ve themes: land, air emissions,